Jones Retirement Journal

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~ All Praises to God ~

“My Retirement from Pastoral Ministry”
The Reverend Alfred David Jones

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for his possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)

Today, I take time to acknowledge the many blessings God has bestowed upon me
throughout my life and, specifically, during my 24 years of pastoral service. He has always
blessed me to have the support and assistance needed to do His will.

I asked God for a wife who would be a good mother to my children and a loving wife to
me…...… one who did not believe in divorce. I thank God for answering my prayers! For
it was God who told me to marry my wife, Mae. She is a mother par excellence to Alicia
and Davida. My wife has always “been there” for me throughout my ministry. I thank my
family and friends for their loyal support during my pastoral ministry, even when things
were not going well.

As far as I know, I have been in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church since my
birth in 1945. I was told that my mother’s uncle or grand-uncle was a bishop in the A.M.E.
Church, namely Bishop George Edward Curry. However, as I think back over my journey
in the A.M.E. Church, the first bishop that I recall is Bishop Sherman L. Green, Sr., who
wore a Prince Albert tailcoat. As I grew older and learned more about the role of a
bishop, my admiration and respect for these elected officials increased tremendously. I
have learned a lot from bishops assigned to Florida. The Lord blessed me to know each
of them in a different way.

While reading the Annual Conference Journal, I noticed that Bishop Adam Jefferson
Richardson, Jr., listed the names of all bishops who have served in Florida. I thought that
since I am the oldest active elder in the conference and am retiring from active ministry, I
would make a brief comment in my Souvenir Journal on what I recall about each of them.

Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols was the first Bishop that I knew. People use to say that he
was the bishop that made other bishops. He had a great influence on the Church.

Bishop William Franklin Ball, Sr., was no stranger to me. I knew Bishop Ball, his wife, and
Presiding Elder William F. Ball, Jr., who we affectionately called Billy Ball. They were our
neighbors. They lived across the street from us in Jacksonville. To us, Bishop Ball was like
family. In addition, he and my father, the Reverend F.W. Jones, Sr., pastored together in
the East Florida Conference.

I recall Bishop Eugene Clifford Hatcher as one of the first bishops who wanted to expand
the Edward Waters College campus. His desire was to erect a citizen’s auditorium and
gymnasium where the gymnasium is presently located. Bishop Hatcher had what he
called, “The Big Book of Names.” Presiding Elder T. E. Shehee would carry the book
everywhere Bishop Hatcher traveled, and people would sign their names and give
donations.

Bishop George Napoleon Collins made a lot of major changes in Florida prior to his death
in a car accident.

Bishop George Wayne Blakely served the remaining term of Bishop Collins, carrying the
District into the 1972 General Conference.

Bishop Dewey Robinson followed Bishop Blakely and was the second bishop to be killed
in an accident while serving in Florida.

Then the great Bishop Hubert Nelson Robinson was assigned to Florida. My wife and I
were blessed to have Bishop Robinson officiate our wedding ceremony at Saint Stephen
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. We were honored to have the then
Reverend Robert V. Webster to witness our marriage. Later, he became the 110th elected
and consecrated bishop in the life of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop
Webster was also my professor at Edward Waters College for the Religious Education
course. In addition, Bishop Webster and my father, the Reverend F. W. Jones, Sr.,
pastored the number one and two churches on the same district for over 19 years. My
father also served as secretary of the East Conference. I will always be grateful to Bishop
Samuel Solomon Morris, Jr., because under his leadership and then College President Dr.
Cecil Wayne Cone, Edward Waters College received its initial four-year accreditation by
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Presiding Elder Frank Arthur Allen licensed me to preach in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. However, Bishop Philip Robert Cousin helped me reach the next level
of ministry in the Church. He ordained me an itinerant deacon and itinerant elder. Bishop
Cousin was a great help to me in my personal life as well. I recall him saying, “Enjoy your
ministry. Do not let anything stop you from enjoying your ministry.” I internalized those
words, which helped to bring me through the tough times in my active ministry. I also
recall that Bishop Cousin was the first to put young pastors in major pulpits. It was he
who appointed my former Presiding Elder Vincent Mitchell to Bethel, Deland, as his
first charge. This was my friend’s home church. The Reverend John White, Sr., (now
Bishop White, the 130th elected and consecrated bishop in the life of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church), was appointed to Greater Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Downtown, Overtown, Miami. I can still see Sister Naomi
Symonette thanking Bishop Cousin from the choir stand during the Annual Conference.

L et me say this about Supervisor Joan Cousin. She went to bat for those who had the
AIDS virus. While most people avoided those suffering from AIDS and evaded discussions
about AIDS, it was Supervisor Cousin who kept this disease before the Church to provide
help and hope for them. At Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Downtown, Overtown, Miami, Florida, Supervisor Cousin initiated a major program
through the Sarah Allen’s House in the South Annual Conference. They were successful
in providing food, clothes, medical supplies, and other items needed by those who had
the virus.

Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings also had a first for Florida. He purchased the old Afro
American Life Insurance Building, located at 101 East Union Street in downtown
Jacksonville, to use as the headquarters for the Eleventh Episcopal District. Bishop
Cummings’ favorite saying is still alive and well: “Let’s do God’s work, God’s way.”

I do not remember when I first met Bishop John Hurst Adams, but I have always been
intrigued by him. He was scholarly but would meet and converse with you at your own
level of understanding. Bishop Adams was the first bishop to show compassion for those
needing assistance in meeting the financial responsibilities of the local church. He said to
me, “Before I leave Florida, I am going to put you in a church with respectability.” He kept
that promise!

As far back as I can remember, I have thought about all of the great minds we have in the
A.M.E Church and wondered, “Why can’t we put those minds to work and develop our
own Connectional headquarters with hotels and the works?” And, after having a bishop
in Florida whose district raised two million dollars in one year, that was proof to me that
it can be done! From what Bishop McKinley Young did in Florida! I believe that the
Connectional Church can surely learn from him.

On a very personal note, Bishop Young came to me and said, “Jones, I want to ask you a
question because I know you will tell me the truth.” Then he asked the question and I
responded. Bishop Young made me so proud when he stood toe to toe with the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) regarding accreditation of my beloved alma
mater, Edward Waters College. Through his tenacity, the school regained its
accreditation.

And finally, I recognize Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., our current bishop. I knew
of Bishop Richardson’s ministry long before he became a bishop and before I met him in
person. I was on my way to the General Conference when he was a candidate for bishop.
I was having a conversation with a very good friend, Eileen Warner, who was a member
of his church at Bethel, Tallahassee. During our talk, God revealed something to me about
Bishop Richardson that I just knew was impossible. However, what God revealed to me
came to pass. God gave me a spiritual connection with Bishop Richardson, and I have

been praying for Bishop and his family ever since. I am sure that other people have been
praying for Bishop as well, and I am thankful for that.

Bishop Richardson feels strongly about pastors being knowledgeable, not only about the
Word, but also about what is happening in the areas surrounding our churches, our
homes, the church community, and the community in general.

Bishop Richardson has been good to my family and to me. As I reflect on the words of
Bishop Cousin, I can honestly say that Bishop Richardson has helped me enjoy my
ministry! He has made my last days of pastoral ministry the best days.

You may be wondering why I wrote about the bishops. God has allowed us to have a
great Church organization, and He has allowed me to be a part of this Church for 75
years, blessing me to live long enough to retire from active ministry. Each bishop who has
come to Florida has done God’s work in an awe manner, making the A.M.E. Church in
Florida proud. My purpose was to extend my appreciation to these bishops for what they
have done for the Church and for me personally and professionally.

I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to my family, especially my wife
(Mae), children (Alicia and Davida), grandchildren (Malachi, Averie, and MacKenzie),
sisters, brothers, and all of my other family members, friends, clergy, members of the
churches that I have pastored, and my special friends (you know who you are). I thank
God for each of you for your overwhelming support during my active pastoral ministry.
May God continue to bless you all “real” good. I thank each of you for your ads,
sponsorships, and contributions to make this Souvenir Journal possible. Many of you will
see your pictures and remember what a great time we had during my active ministry.
May God continue to bless each of you.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:16)













The Retirement of a Faithful Servant

As an instructor at Edward Waters College, I was pleased to teach a young man
who I found to be destined for greatness. He was studious, conscientious, with a
zeal for life.

An instructor does not always receive adequate remuneration for their services, but
the joy and reward they receive, comes from their students who have made great
contributions in their field of endeavor.

As an instructor of Alfred D. Jones, I am one who has found much satisfaction in
his accomplishments. This young man surpassed my expectations and is now
retiring from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Naples, Florida.

I believe a preacher’s task is making straight in the desert a highway for our God,
which is indicative of removing obstacles for the coming of the Lord. I believe this
was one of the main objectives of Reverend Jones. For he removed many obstacles
through his dynamic preaching because he realized that preaching the Word of
God is the most important responsibility of a pastor.

He did not seek churches that were well established, he was willing to go where
the need was greatest. He knew that a servant is one who leads and knows how to
treat those who were willing to follow.

Reverend Jones was extraordinarily successful as a pastor because he realized that
with opportunity comes responsibility and accountability. Every pastor ought to
understand that they must have a purpose bigger than themselves. I do believe that
Reverend Jones, had a purpose bigger than himself, and that purpose was to have a
relationship with God, because he knew that prayer is the Divine in us, appealing
to the Divine above us.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church, is grateful for the work you did as
Pastor, for you knew that if you were to become successful in ministry, it would be
through the greatness you found in love, mercy, kindness, and compassion.

As you retire make sure that you have exerted an influence of kindness on
humanity.

May God bless you during your years of retirement,

Bishop Robert V. Webster, Retired

The Fourth Episcopal District
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
“THE BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN HOUSE”
4448 S. MICHIGAN AVENUE  CHICAGO, IL  60653
PHONE: 773.955.9825FAX:773.955.9840WEB:AME4.ORG

Blessings to The Reverend Alfred D. Jones

Congratulations as you celebrate your
retirement. We pray that God’s Light continue

to shine brightly upon you.

“With God, We Can Transform the World!”
With God…All Things Are Possible
Matthew 19:26

Bishop John & Supervisor Penny

Mrs. Penny Hartsfield White
Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop John Franklin White
Presiding Prelate, Fourth Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church



Congratulations and God’s Blessings to
The Reverend Alfred David Jones
and
First Lady E. Mae Jones
on your Retirement

September 17, 2020

“All of the wonderful things you’ve done for us will not be forgotten.
Congrats on the fruits of your hard labor!”

The Reverend Vincent Floyd Mitchell
Presiding Elder of Central District South Conference

Consultant Magdalene Mitchell
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as

you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10-12 `New International Version (NIV)



To Reverend Alfred and E. Mae Jones
HAPPY RETIREMENT!!!

Consultant Ronda joins me in thanking God for you and your
wife for serving the

African Methodist Episcopal Church with a willing heart, joyful
spirit and staying true to your calling.
Enjoy Your Retirement!

Presiding Elder Milton Broomfield
and

Consultant Ronda Broomfield
Daytona Beach District
Central Conference

Congratulations

Rev. Alfred Jones

May God richly bless all your future endeavors
and give you residing peace to fill your heart.

Retirement marks the fulfillment of one era
and beginning of another. Enjoy this NEW ERA.

Retired Presiding Elder John &
Consultant Joretta D. Bodison